Tag: Lonzo Ball

Larry Drew II, the newest member of the Miami Heat, has played all 96 of his G League game with the Heat’s affiliate, Sioux Falls.

The Miami Heat boosted their training camp roster to 18 Tuesday by adding another guard.

Larry Drew II, the 27-year-old who has played 10 games in the NBA, was signed late Tuesday. Drew joins additions Matt Williams Jr. and Derrick Walton Jr., two guards signed this summer.

Although the roster now includes nine guards, Drew is the only true point guard behind Goran Dragic.

Here are five things you should now about Drew…

1. Drew was in the Heat’s training camp twice before, 2013 and 2014, and has played for Miami’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce, during the last four years. He has played in 96 career G-League games, all with the Skyforce. Of those, 77 games came in 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. He is averaging 10.8 points, 7.8 assists and 3.4 rebounds, while shooting 47.6 percent from the floor, including 41.6 percent on threes in his G-League career. In 2014, he was cut late in camp, along with Tyler Johnson. Both years in which he was cut he was extended an invitation to play in Sioux Falls. On Christmas Day 2014 he set the G League single game assist record in a Sioux Falls win over Rio Grande Valley.

2. Drew played college basketball for two bluebloods. He started his career at North Carolina, where he played three seasons, averaging 4.8 points and 3.9 assists before transferring to UCLA. At UCLA he set the single-season assist record of 256, which was broken this year by Lonzo Ball, who had 274. Drew left UNC in the middle of his sophomore season after being removed from the starting lineup. Weeks later Drew explained his decision in freestyle rap: “The past three years I can’t undo, so now I’m making all the moves that I want to … They tried to tell me just to play my role, but who’s really trying to stick to a script that’s full of typos?” That move was going to UCLA. Drew, who grew up just outside of Los Angeles, dreamed of attending UCLA but chose North Carolina after coach Ben Howland demanded a commitment one week after offering him a scholarship. Howland later took full responsibility for Drew signing with UNC. Drew was not drafted in 2013.

3. Drew was part of the gold medal winning United States team at the FIBA AmeriCup this summer, a team coach by Jeff Van Gundy. He appeared in five games and averaged 4.6 points, 5.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds and a steal in 19.4 minutes while shooting 52.9 percent from the floor. Drew also has played internationally in Lithuania and Puerto Rico.

4. Drew’s father, Larry Drew, is a longtime coach in the NBA after a 10-year NBA career. He has been coaching since 1992, spending all but four of those as an assistant for seven different teams, including the Cavaliers where he now coaches. He was named head coach of the Hawks in 2010 and spent three seasons there before taking over in Milwaukee for a year. He has a 143-169 record as a head coach. Larry Sr. played four years at Missouri and was taken 17th overall by the Pistons in 1980. He averaged 11.4 points and 5.2 assists while playing for four franchises. His best year was 1982-83 when he averaged 20.1 points and 8.1 assists (sixth in the league) for the Kansas City Kings.

5. Drew was a teammate of Heat guard Wayne Ellington’s for one year at North Carolina, a year that ended with the Tar Heels capturing the national title. Drew was just a freshman and averaged 1.4 points in 38 games. Ellington, a junior, averaged 15.8 points and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

The NBA released the full 2017-18 schedule Monday evening and, as always, there are plenty of intriguing matchups to be excited for. For the Heat, there are two home games against Dwyane Wade and the Bulls, an early-season game against Gordon Hayward and the Celtics, and even an international contest against the Nets that will be played in Mexico City.

The dog days of the NBA calendar are around the corner so Heat fans are starting to look into the future, on and off the court.

We look at that day when Pat Riley decides to ride off to Malibu, the chances of the Heat acquiring a star player – either through a trade or free agency – next year and more.

If you weren’t able to ask a question, send your questions for future mailbags via Twitter to @Anthony_Chiang and @tomdangelo44.

From @Diehardheatfan1: What do you think Pat Riley’s big move will be moving forward down the road? Do you foresee him getting a superstar? If so, who?

Let’s put it this way, if there is one available Riley and the Heat will be in the conversation. The biggest reason is now he has the assets, even though that does not include draft picks. Riley has several more players on affordable, reasonable annual contracts since the James Johnson, Dion Waiters and Kelly Olynyk signings that could be used in a package for a star player or to open cap space to sign a big name free agent.

As to who will become available, that’s difficult to say. Two years ago nobody believed the Bulls would move Jimmy Butler and a year ago Paul George being traded from Indiana wasn’t even a thought. Right now the thought is possibly New Orleans’ DeMarcus Cousins, who will be a free agent next summer. But the chances are other stars will be on the market, too, by the end of the upcoming season or, if the plan is to pursue a player through free agency, Miami could make moves to open cap space.

From @abdrrhmnkyklk: If Riley were to step down today, who would replace him? Spo as a coach-president with Elisburg serving as GM or Elisburg as GM directly?

The question every Heat fans never wants to know the answer to because that means Pat Riley is retiring. We all know the day is coming. But when?

In September Riley said he and Micky Arison have talked about a successor plan and several names likely came up, one being Spoelstra who has been mentored by Riley since both arrived in Miami in the summer of 1995.

Spoelstra loves coaching and he has no desire move on just yet. But he did address the possibility of having a role similar to Riley’s one day during a podcast with The Vertical following the season.

“I’m a Pat Riley disciple,” he said. “He’s always pushed me and nurtured me for the next step, so yes. I would love to have that opportunity years down the line for the Arison family because I believe in them so much as human beings. They’re such good people and family oriented.”

The Heat hired Shane Battier in February to head the analytics department and some speculated Battier was being groomed to be Riley’s replacement. And of course there is Elisburg, the man Riley continually praises for his knowledge and ability to put together a deal.

“Whatever one day Micky or Nick (Arison) wants to do then I think they have a good blend of people,” Riley said last week. “One thing about that, now there’re a lot of opinions, there’re a lot of voices. As people begin to grow in an organization, they want more of a position, more say. Their opinions are stronger. They have more confidence, which I do like. Andy and I get in arguments all the time.”

So to answer your question: To be determined.

From: ChrisHypeTrain: Opinions on Lonzo and reboot of the lakers?

Tom: Ball has been impressive and will help the Lakers. He clearly has been the story of summer league but remember, it is just summer league. Ball is more of a pure point guard that any of the top picks in the draft and the young players around him seem to trust his leadership and passing ability. In that sense he will help a young team like L.A. His scoring has surprised me but his shot remains a concern and it will be interesting if he has success with it at the NBA level. The Lakers will be improved but they are a long way from the playoffs.

Anthony: The Lakers won’t be a playoff team next season, but Ball sure does look impressive in summer league games. If Ball can continue to impress when the real games start, he could be another factor that helps Magic Johnson attract a star to Los Angeles. Will it be LeBron James or Paul George? Or maybe both? The Lakers are clearly planning to make a big splash next summer. But this upcoming season won’t be full of wins. It should be full of fun, though, with Ball running the show.

Will another team make Heat guard Dion Waiters and offer he cannot refuse? (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The Miami Heat have said they want him back. And guard Dion Waiters certainly has sent out strong signals he would like to return.

But will it happen?

That not only depends on the Heat’s offer but what other teams think of Waiters, and if anybody makes him an offer he cannot refuse.

Who could that be? We answer that and more in today’s Heat mailbag. If you weren’t able to ask a question this week, send your questions for future mailbags via Twitter (@Anthony_Chiang and @tomdangelo44).

From @SrMayo1: Do you see any teams with a big enough need at the 2 to offer (Dion Waiters) $18 million plus?

Even if the market is that high for Waiters (my guess is closer to $15 million a year), two teams come to mind:

The Lakers are overhauling their backcourt. They could take point guard Lonzo Ball with the second overall pick and shooting guard Nick Young, who has been shopped the last few years, is expected to decline his player option for $5.6 million and become a free agent. Add to that the Lakers will have about $24 million in cap space and, most importantly, Waiters’ former agent, Rob Pelinka, is the Lakers new general manager. Pelinka is in a interesting situation. After having spent years trying to convince teams to pony up for his clients, now he will be trying to make deals with some of those same players to come to L.A. for less money than they’ll be seeking. But if Magic Johnson likes the idea of a Ball-Waiters backcourt it just might happen.

Philadelphia likely will be the only team with more money to spend than the Heat. The Sixers need help in the backcourt, are looking to boost their 3-point shooting and Waiters is from Philadelphia, having been born and raised there. J.J. Redick has been linked to the Sixers. Although Redick, 32, is seven years older than Waiters, Philadelphia reportedly is seeking more of a veteran presence in the backcourt, a player who has playoff experience. But if Redick is looking for a better situation the Sixers could make a run at Waiters.

From @AsherWildMan6: with the way teams want bigs that can shoot, how come John Collins from Wake doesn’t get much love for Heat pick? 6-10 forward that has proven to be a scorer. I’m not saying he is Draymond, but with McRoberts back, he can also play back up center and add the element of outside shooting which Whiteside does not have. Also assuming Reed walks.

A few mock drafts had Collins going to the Heat early but some have backed off and now only Bleacher Report is sticking to that projection. UCLA’s T.J. Leaf, Indiana’s OG Anunoby and Duke’s Harry Giles now appear to be the more popular choices for the Heat. And many see how Luke Babbitt stretched the floor as the starting power forward last year and think Leaf is a better fit because of his outside shooting. Collins still is in the mix but been showing up in the 15-18 range more.

Also, I think a lot depends on who the Heat are more confident in re-signing among James Johnson and Waiters as to whether they draft a wing or a power forward. If they are confident they can sign both I believe they will pick the player they believe is the best among those from those two positions.

Ike Anigbogu wasn’t the best player on his team last season or the most renown. Not even close. That was Lonzo Ball.

In fact, Anigbogu wasn’t near the top on a talented UCLA team with household names like Ball, T.J. Leaf, Bryce Alford and others. Yet, Anigbogu, a freshman who never started and averaged just 4.7 points and 4.0 rebounds while playing 13 minutes per game, is an intriguing prospect who most believe will be a first-round pick with one mock draft (NetScouts) pegging him to the Miami Heat at No. 14.

UCLA’s Ike Anigbogu blocks a shot in game against Washington in March. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images).

A quick introductory: Anigbogu is a raw but physically gifted prospect. At the NBA Draft Combine he measured 6-foot-9.75, 252.2 pounds with the second widest wingspan – 7-6.25. His hands were among the largest – 10.0 width and 9.5 length. His defense is far ahead of his offense, although he is a strong finisher, and he projects as a rim protector at the next level. He averaged 3.7 blocks per 40 minutes. Anigbogu missed the first five games of the season after tearing the meniscus in his right knee.

Most mock drafts have him going in the first round but none higher than 14th. He also is projected to be picked 15th by Portland, 18th by Chicago, 23rd by Toronto and 25th by Orlando by various mocks.

Anigbogu could be on the Heat’s radar, maybe not at No. 14 but perhaps if he slips and Pat Riley and Andy Elisburg can trade into the early second round. Miami likely will be in the market for a backup center after it was revealed Thursday that Willie Reed, as expected, informed the team he will opt out of his contract.

Anigbogu patterns his game after another defensive-oriented center who plays in L.A. – the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan because of “the way he affects the game without putting so much pressure on the offensive side,” he said at last month’s combine in Chicago.

And he is well aware of the area where he must improve the most.

“I feel like I will fit doing the same things I did at UCLA, rim running, protecting the rim, being smart on the floor,” he said. “I plan to develop more of an offensive game. Right now I’m polishing things up. … go-to move, counters, working on my mid-range. I feel like I’m pretty mobile at the center/four position so I’m trying to develop a face up game.”

Because he is so raw with limited playing time in his only year of college, Anigbogu is aware he could be a perfect candidate to get some seasoning in the developmental league, something he said that came up in his conversations with NBA teams.

“I’m for any challenge they will throw at me,” he said. “Anything that’s going to help my development. I’m completely trusting the staff to make the decision for me.”

Anigbogu, Ball and Leaf all entered UCLA together with Ball and Leaf the anchors of the class. Ball was the third-rated prospect in the country according to 247Sports composite and Leaf No. 18. Anigbogu, from Corona, Calif., fell in at No. 47. The Bruins stumbled down the stretch last season, losing in the semifinals of the Pac-12 tournament to Arizona and again three games later in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament, to Kentucky. UCLA finished 31-5.

While Ball is projected to be taken second in the draft, some mocks have Leaf, a much more refined offensive player who can fill the role of a stretch four, going to the Heat. Leaf is the same height as Anigbogu but 20 pounds lighter.

Anigbogu and Leaf have known each other from their AAU days.

“We always had a tight, close connection,” Anigbogu said. “He’s a versatile player that can score on all three levels and give all his heart every time on the floor. He’s super competitive.”

The Miami Heat will have a lottery pick for just the third time in the last 14 years, but what will they do with that pick if they remain 14th or by some miracle move up in the lottery?
We answer that today in our mailbag. Keep those questions coming. Send via Twitter to @Anthony_Chiang and @tomdangelo44.

From @BryanIsTheKing: Will Miami try and trade up in the draft?

From @Tealman12: Trade down/out of draft right?

The Heat enter with a 1.8 percent chance of moving up into one of the three spots, including 0.5 percent of moving into the top pick, 0.6 percent of getting the second pick and 0.7 percent of securing the third pick.

Let’s take these separately: If the Heat remain 14th, the most likely scenario, forget trading up. Miami has just one player that could get it a top 10 pick and Pat Riley is not trading Hassan Whiteside for a pick. Trading down would be an interesting thought. Miami has very few picks going forward. Already it has traded away its 2018 and 2021 first-round picks in the Goran Dragic trade. The 2018 pick is top 7 protected, in which case it would keep that pick and lose 2019. Also Miami has traded its next five second round picks.

After about the 10th pick this year the thinking is there are about 10 or more players who are pretty evenly grouped. So if the Heat’s desire is to recover a pick or two and believes any one of those players remaining on the board can help when we get to the 14th pick, perhaps they think of trading down in the first round and pick up a second rounder. Also, do not rule out the possibility of buying a second round pick.

If the Heat defy the odds and win the lottery, that means they will have a top three pick, which means at least two players among the following will be available to them – Washington’s Markelle Fultz, UCLA’s Lonzo Ball, Kansas’ Josh Jackson, Duke’s Jayson Tatum. The Heat would then be in a very enviable spot: Plan to pick one of these supposed can’t-miss guys or start conversations with teams like the Bulls for Jimmy Butler or the Pacers for Paul George.

From @NikoDevlin: how long until Miami can give more money to Tyler Johnson?

Here is the breakdown on Johnson’s contract: The Heat matched a four year, $50 million offer last summer he was extended by the Nets. Johnson made $5.628 million last season and will earn a little more than $5.881 million next year before the big money kicks in.

The number jumps to a little more than $18.858 in 2018-19 and about $19.631 million in 2019-20.

But even Leaf knows in a few months he will be able to afford the $495 sneakers, or $220 sliders, being produced under the Ball family’s brand.

Leaf, a 6-foot-10, 222-pound power forward, is projected to be selected in the middle of the first round. NBADraft.net has him going 15th to Portland, which would be one pick after the Miami Heat’s selection barring a lucky bounce of the ping pong balls in Tuesday’s lottery. If he is the 14th pick and if he becomes Miami’s next stretch four, Leaf will be about $6.5 million richer and would not need Ball’s charity.

Leaf did not schedule a workout in Miami while he was in Chicago last week for the NBA Draft Combine but said his representatives have spoken with the Heat and he expects one would be arranged before the July 22 draft. His game fits the NBA, and especially Miami’s style with his versatility and ability to stretch the floor.

“I feel I can score on three levels, which a lot of our bigs are not able to do,” said Leaf, who added he believes his basketball IQ is almost at a point guard’s level.

“I play hard on every possession. A lot of guys tend to take plays off. I will go at it every single play.”

Although playing in the post is not his strength, Leaf can score around the basket. But he really showed he has the range to be a stretch four.

Leaf led Bruins with 16.3 points per game and was second with 8.2 rebounds, helping guide the team to the Sweet 16 before falling to Kentucky. He shot 61.7 percent from the floor and 46.6 percent on 3 pointers.

“Where the league is going now—playing smaller, skilled players at power forward rather than raw, skilled athletes has helped him,” the scout said. “He’s deceptively athletic. Got a lot of things going for him. The way the game’s going (it) plays to his strengths.”

Leaf, who said he is working mostly on his speed and strength, was overlooked entering college with one of the most celebrated classes in recent history. Ball – who beat out Leaf for California’s Player of the Year before the two became teammates at UCLA – Harry Giles, Josh Jackson, De’Aaron Fox, Jayson Tatum, Malik Monk, Dennis Smith Jr. and Markelle Fultz were the top rated players while Leaf drew an average national rating of 17th and was as low as No. 22 on Scout’s list.

And while those players all signed expecting to be ‘one-and-done’ college players, Leaf wasn’t as sure.

“I definitely was thinking it was a possibility but I wasn’t thinking I would be (at the combine) right now, that’s for sure,” Leaf said last week. “We won. Winning does breed success. At the end of the day that’s all we were worried about was winning and it got a lot of us here.”

Leaf’s father, like Ball’s, played basketball. But unlike LaVar Ball, Brad Leaf isn’t on an attention-seeking, headline-grabbing mission to promote his brand and his son.

Brad Leaf, who went to Evansville and was drafted in the 7th round by the Pacers in 1982, played professionally in Israel and coached his sons at Foothill Christian School just east of Los Angeles. TJ was born in Tel Aviv and moved to California when he was 2.

And when a decision was nearing as who whether Leaf would join his more celebrated members of the 2016 class in the 2017 NBA draft the family, which also included brother Troy, an assistant coach at an NAIA school in Santa Clara, convened.

“He knew that I’d have an opportunity to come to UCLA and make an impact and I was able to do that,” TJ said about his dad. “We sat down as a family and talked about it. We knew it was time for me. I think I’m ready for this.”

Kammerer believes this could be a “special draft” for a select few at the top. Not quite 2004 special that saw four future Hall of Famers – LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade – go in the first five picks. But special nonetheless.

The top four – Washington’s Markelle Fultz, UCLA’s Lonzo Ball, Kansas’ Josh Jackson, Duke’s Jayson Tatum – are on level of their own. The next tier takes us to about the ninth or 10th pick. Then there is the group of about 10 players that the Heat, who most likely will pick 14th, are most interested in.

“I don’t know if the players at the top of the draft are going to make a huge difference their first year or two because they’re so young (but) down the road this could end up being really a special draft,” Kammerer said.

“There’s so much potential and so many boxes you check off from their character, their skill level, their athleticism. They have combinations of players high in the draft that are going to be really good NBA players.”

Kammerer believes the draft could produce about 20 rotational players but beyond that he believes this crop is typical when it comes to the second round.

“I’m not sure the second round is going to be any better than previous drafts,” he said. “When you talk about depth you talk about second round guys I would say ‘OK, not bad.’

“These guys (at the combine) are mostly second round. There’s some good players but I don’t think this is one of those drafts you’re going to say, ‘Oh, man, there’s 10 guys in the second round that are going to be really good NBA players.’”

As for the positional breakdown: Kammerer agrees with the consensus that the point guard position is loaded and he likes the power forwards/centers. The weakness: wings.

The Heat are expected to be looking at a power forward or combo big man and several could be available at that spot including Zach Collins, Wake Forest’s John Collins, UCLA’s TJ Leaf, Cal’s Ivan Rabb and Texas’ Jarrett Allen.

The Heat do not own a second round pick but could make a trade to acquire one. This season, more teams could use the second round to identify a player or players to sign to the new two-way contract, which allows a team to control two players it believes needs seasoning in the D-League.

Each team with be allowed to have two additional players beyond the 15-man limit on a two-way contract.

“In the past the best 60 guys didn’t get drafted because people didn’t have two slots for them,” Kammerer said. “So they would take some European they’re stashing because they see their roster and they don’t have spots for two or three guys.

“Now I think you’re going to see teams stash some guys that maybe aren’t ready but have a lot of upside. He really isn’t ready but we’ll put him in our D-League for a year. Now there’s more of a chance for them to stash an American than to stash a European.”

UCLA guard Lonzo Ball, right, shakes hands with his father LaVar following a game this season against Washington State in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

CHICAGO – TJ Leaf appears to have the perfect blueprint on how to handle LaVar Ball, the outspoken father of his former UCLA teammate, Lonzo Ball.

“LaVar is going to say what he’s going to say,” Leaf, the 6-foot-10 power forward said from the NBA Combine. “It is what it is. We can’t control that.”

LaVar Ball has been off the rails since he started exploiting his three basketball-playing sons to further his Big Baller brand. He continues to extend his 15-minutes of fame by making headline-splashing statements like saying in his “heyday” he “would kill Michael Jordan one-on-one,” or saying Lonzo is “the best player on the world” and right now “is better than Steph Curry,” or believed his can command a billion dollar endorsement deal for his brand.

Or this doozy in an interview with the Orange County Register after UCLA lost to Kentucky, 85-76, in the NCAA tournament:

“Realistically you can’t win no championship with three white guys because the foot speed is too slow.”

Leaf, who is white, was asked if that comment bothered him.

“No. Absolutely not,” he said. “The season didn’t end how we wanted and we all know that it was just a team effort.”

Leaf tied for team-high scoring and rebounding honors in the loss with 17 points and seven boards. He shot 7 of 11. Ball had 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting.

But none of that matters. Leaf praises Lonzo for helping increase his basketball IQ during their one season together, says they are close, and appears to have tolerated LaVar in his one-year at UCLA.

Lonzo is expected to be a top three pick while Leaf could be right in the middle of the first round, which is Miami Heat territory. The Heat will have the 14th pick if they do not defy the long odds (1.8 percent chance) and move into the top three. Leaf is expecting to work out for the Heat in Miami before the June 22 draft.

“Me and Lonzo are really close off the court and on the court,” Leaf said. “It was a blast playing with him this year. We’re still very close. We talk all the time, I’m close with him and his family. He has a great family. Obviously his dad is pretty bold in what he says. But that’s his father. He loves him and at the end of the day he wants what’s best for his son.”

I asked Leaf what was the biggest misconception about LaVar.

“There’s a lot of people saying a lot of things about him and his family,” he said. “No one really knows. I don’t even know. They have their own stuff going on in their own family. It unfair for people to say things sometimes.”

Miami will have three means of adding players next season: Draft, trade, free agency. Those decision will determine how long it takes the Heat to once again become a contender.

We will explore all three along with some of the options. But things have changed since the season started and with a new CBA agreed upon the Heat may have to reevaluate its game plan when it comes to fast-forwarding this rebuilding process.

Free agency: The quickest way to a fix has worked well for the Heat in recent years, most famously in 2010 when Riley convinced LeBron James and Chris Bosh to join Dwayne Wade.

But the new CBA will make it more difficult for the Heat to sign a transcendent talent. The agreement, which was reached Dec. 14, gives a player much greater financial incentive to remain with his existing team.

Players with 10 or more years of service now can sign a five-year deal starting at $36 million and totaling $209 million. The most another team can sign that same player for is $133 million over four years. A difference of $76 million. In addition, teams can extend two veteran players for six years, adding more guaranteed money to their coffers that other teams cannot.

Which means instead of thinking Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Kyle Lowry and maybe even Gordon Hayward, the Heat may be forced to focus on the next tier of players that include Paul Millsap, Serge Ibaka, Danilo Gallinari and Rudy Gay.

Still, with anywhere between $40 million and $55 million available in cap space this summer based on the expectation that Bosh’s salary comes off the books and the possibility that Miami trades point guard Goran Dragic, Miami has some serious cash to throw around.

Miami no longer can afford two max contracts but if it believes Hayward (who, as a seven-year player would command a contract starting at $31 million) is one of those leading men and it adds another player like Ibaka that would be a nice start.

Otherwise, the Heat may be looking at signing a combination of Gallinari, Gay and Ibaka.

Draft: This may be the safest bet of them all. With each loss Miami gets closer to the top of the draft. With the second-worst record, the Heat are guaranteed a top 5 pick but more likely one of the top 3.

The Heat could trade the pick but they have restrictions. Because it owes a protected 2018 first-round pick to the Suns and the league prohibits teams to deal consecutive first-round picks, Miami either would have to swap its 2017 first-round pick in a trade or draft the player and then make the trade.

And the Heat picked a good year to return to the lottery, a place it’s been just once in the last eight years. The draft is loaded thanks to a 2016 crop of college freshmen that some called the best ever.

Miami is virtually guaranteed of coming away with a major piece, perhaps a player who will become part of the Heat’s next Big 3. The strength is in the backcourt and the Heat’s biggest need is scoring.

The top of the draft board generally includes 6-4 guard Markelle Fultz of Washington, the 6-6 Ball, 6-8 wing Josh Jackson of Kansas, 6-2 guard Dennis Smith of N.C. State and 6-10 forward Jonathan Isaac of Florida State.

The next tier includes Kentucky’s backcourt of 6-3 De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk, Duke’s forward tandem of 6-10 Henry Giles and 6-8 Jayson Tatum and 6-5 Frank Ntilikina, who is playing in France.

The Heat’s need could shift if Dragic is traded but most of the top guards are combo guards that could play either position in the NBA. Think 6-4 Dwyane Wade coming out of Marquette 14 years ago.

Trade: This will take the most creativity considering teams aren’t in the habit of giving away franchise players.

But, of course, if anyone has a proven track record of rebuilding through trades, it’s Riley. This is a man who has acquired Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal by wheeling and dealing.

Miami would have to give up a lot to acquire a player who could be considered one of its leading men and Riley has rolled the dice before. But does Miami have enough assets to land such a play? And would Riley trade the draft pick? Unlikely but never say never.

The Heat say they are not shopping Hassan Whiteside but that does not mean if Riley is made an offer he cannot refuse and Whiteside is part of the deal they would not pull the trigger. The odds are, though, the Heat continue to build around their 27-year-old, $98 million man.

Justise Winslow, Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson all are considered cornerstones. But that also means all are assets that, if necessary, could help close a deal for a superstar. Remember: Johnson can veto any trade before the end of the season.

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About the Author

Anthony Chiang began his writing career in Gainesville at the University of Florida’s student-run newspaper. At The Independent Florida Alligator, he covered the school’s golf, volleyball, baseball, and football teams. The Miami native has also written for the Sun Sentinel and MLB.com, following the Tampa Bay Rays.

Tom is a Heat beat writer for the Palm Beach Post. He has covered sports in Florida since 1981.